Hidden In Light

[Maxster211]

Sweat poured from his pours, mixing with his tears and the unnatural fog. Swinging his head around, he watched the path behind him envoloped beyond his sight. Turning back to his front, he spurred on his draft off the fine gravel road into the barely visible trees to his side.
He knew it was too foggy and dark to continue tonight, but he had to get as far away from his pursuers that night at least. The next day, his exodus would be over, and he would be safe. He hoped.
He didn't know what would be in store, but it would be safer than here.
He dodged trees, narrowly as he could only see so far ahead. Soon, though, they became too stacked together to go forward, nor could he find any way through in each direction. He trotted down a wall of brush for a while, then hopped off and made camp, if it could be a camp. He couldn't make a fire, or else he'd be seen. He couldn't unpack much unless he left it when caught. He unpacked some dry meat, cheese, and a bit of bread, and ate.
Too tired to think, he grabbed a blanket, set it up as a pillow, packed everything else on his horse, drew his knife, and fell asleep clutching it.

There was a rustle in the bushes across from where Joshua slept. Rising, holding his knife towards the bush, he picked up the blanket slowly and walked backwards towards Old Jack. An arrow twanged through the air, and as he jumped backwards as the arrow hit where his knee would have been. There were shouts from around him, all sounding angery. At him or the early archer, he couldn't tell. Everything was blurred and drowned out to him. He focused on getting away.
Mounting Jack, he spurred him off. The assailents seemed to recover, however, as arrows started flying towards him. No idea where he was going, Josh took a left, jumping through the brambles. After minutes of hard riding that felt like hours, the firing stopped, and he felt safe again, stopping for a breath. Almost as soon as Jack took his last step, Joshua heard the arrows peircing the air. Spurring his horse back on, everything seemed to slow down. He could see the arrows spiral, the hoofs of his horse fall, even himself, with bule hanging out of his mouth, laying with his chest on his horses neck, the shouting now clear in the background. "Kill the heretic!" As that last word was uttered, he was shot back. He took a corner, then several more turns, until he was back on the road, and shot on. The fog was still there, but it was daylight now. Still... he sped forward, knife still in hand. Passing under a wooden, unmaned wall, he broke from the roads and indented the fields, looking back occassionally.
About mid day, he stopped to rest, dismounting, and laying against his horse's leg.
"How did we get here, Old Jack?" he wispered, scraggally beard swaying in the wind, his lips curved down into a pitiful scowl. He wished his beast could talk. But he couldn't, so he answered himself. "Because we have two dictators, right? Two people who fear the people? Two rulers who fear the ruled? Two heartless that play with hearts?"
He picked up a rock and threw it. "We need a Leader who loves us, right? A king? A Messiah? Huh. Sometimes I wonder. Is this the machine that makes reality work?" He got up, mounted, and rode off.

The Oak. There it was. He hoped his friends would make it their own way. Untill then... he'd admire the great tree.

 

[Star_Splitter87]

General Torchwood, one of the greatest generals of the King's army and a centaure of reputed reputation for being a hound of women, if one could mix metaphors so grossly, slowly trotted toward the castle entrance. This entrance to him was quite extravagant for such a modest kingdom. He had seen better lands than the ones he had just galloped through and yet the castle was the only shining place in all the kingdom. Sighing to himself, his hooves clopped against the stone steps which could be heard clear to the throne room.

The doors already open for his arrival, he made his way towards the king and made a bow with his front legs, bending his waist. The king nodded and he stood straight once more, "My King, I have come as ordered. What is it that you desire?"

((Who is doing the king???))

 

[sampson x]

A small, green lump broke the natural curve of the Oak's trunk as it flowed into the ground. Every so often the lump would heave a bit before resuming it's old size. If one were close enough he would have heard the faint whisper of slow, easy breathing. Next to the lump lay a strange, twisted staff. The staff seemed to fit in perfectly among the unburied roots of the large Oak tree.

The sound of nearby hoofbeats startled poor Philip Dreedy Clarence from his slumber. The little green lump suddenly exploded as it took the shape of a rising human, a hand snatching up the staff on the way up. With his unoccupied hand Philip brushed his wispy hair out of his eye's way to look for the disturber of his sleep. The area was too foggy, though. With a sigh, Philip raised his staff above his head and repeated the words, "Neebog Gof!" The end of the gnarled staff glowed for a second. As it faded the fog around Philip began to dissapate. Peering through the morning air again, Philip saw a lone rider approaching.

Summoning a voice that far exceed his small frame's capability, Philip called out to the man, "Who be you, to travel by the Oak on such a morning as this? Your reasons seem to be as unclear as the weather."

((I'm dropping his Scottish accent. I don't know how to write it correctly))

 

[Maxster211]

((I'm playing the King for now. Note, the name of the King and the title of the People of his Kingdom are the same.))

Lucifite rose from his stone thrown. The rock had been litterally carved out of the cave that they were in, along with the rest of the castle, including the table between him and Torchwood. He himself, though, brought light into the dank court. He was clothed in light and silver robes that shone under his radiance. His face was fair, with high cheek bones, black hair that hung down his back and sides in curles. But his eyes... they were not there. They were replaced by great light that shown from his sockets. His voice was high, but it called out in a demanding way.
"My servent, my son." Lucifite said. "Do you not know my troubles? Do you not know of the Havenites who search for a refuge that is no safety, that is evil, that will be my death? They are making a move against me now, as we speak! I have seen it in the pools and the stars and through the darkness, that I pierce. Go! Here is the Oak," here he threw a scroll with dirrections and a map," where they start their journey. Find their tracks, and hinder them. Go!"

((More later.))

 

[Star_Splitter87]

A manservent took the scroll from the King and placed in Torchwood's hands. Nodding and bowing again, Torchwood nodded, "As your desires are my lord, they will be done. I shall take my best men and personally track them down."

Bowing slightly lower he turned and softly galloped off to the barrox to rally his men.

((Slightly busy...sorry about that))

 

[Maxster211]

((By barrox, do you mean barracks? Not meaning to be nit-picky, just a little confused.))

Not caring whether anyone was around or not, Lucifite moved towards the walls behind his throne. Heading straight for the broad side of a plain, flat wall, he continued, walking straight through. He entered a universe of darkness and nothingness, but he continued walking straight; nothing before him, nothing behind. Untill, suddenly, an identical flat, grey wall, just like the one he'd originally walked through, apeared. He strode through it, apearing on the other side, in dismal cold. The beating of drums echoed through the darkness he was now, again enveloped in. But this was... a different darkness. Not one of nothingness; this one was thick, and had a feeling of substance and nausousness one feels in pits and in bed sick... it was for Lucifite, and he loved it.
His light still shone, but it was not a glorious light anymore. It was like a light that drew moths to it. And many that came were like giant moths. But these were his hordes, his men. They were demons, spirits, imps, Nephillim, Gigontos, all around him, beating drums and strumming foul stringed instruments. But most of all were playing great black horns, that could almost go unseen in the surroundings.
And coming up to him were the Fallen. These pure blooded Angels were his Elite. They had slain many, souls, flesh, and spirits, in their career. They were his.
Lucifite smiled. They were ready.

Joshua kept his face straight as long as he could, saying, trying not to laugh, "Who are you to wait at an Oak on such an unclear day? And at an Oak that should not exist? Does this day, or the Oak, or my reasons, or us even exist?" He couldn't hold it longer, however. He jumped from his horse and ran to his brothren. "Philip, you fool! Who else could it be?" He lifted his friend and held him close. "It's been ages, old man! How have you been?" But he snapped out of it, coming back to the issues. "Do you know why I have called you, my friend?"

 

[Star_Splitter87]

((Yes yes, how you spelled it ...I feel sort of left out of the good guy side of the group....perhaps, if I may, join in with another character on that side too??? PLEASE???!!))

 

[Shadowseldil]

(((Tag. Just... tag... No time now...)))

 

[Maxster211]

((Sure, go ahead. The more characters the merrier.))

 

[ignight]

Alvar ( http://www.christianforums.com/t4599906-alvar.html ) walked through the crowded streets. The sun was high in the sky But became blocked out as she turned down the allie way. She shivered at the coolness. she was supost to meet her contact here. She could feel the scroll digging into her back, but she dare not remore it, not yet, she had to be sure it was safe. She stood prepared, her back to the wall. Where was the contact? She herself had been slightly late..... She let all the possibilities run through her mind. He could have been captured and worse. alvar couls feel herself tense. She would have to leave soon, Just in case he gave she possition away. She waited a few more minuets but he did not come. Alvar quietly walked towards the busy street but stoped when she heared the footsteps. They were long apart and heavy as if he were stumbaling. Alvar cluched the iron tiped fan at her side and turned to confront the stranger. She stood her ground, not surrprised at the scene before her. It was her contact though she had had trouble identifying him. He was hurt very badly, near death. He seemed to understand this himself and used the remant of his life force to pull near to her. "I can not take the message...You must. Take it to the great oak! To joshua! you must hurry, He will not be there for long.... Take this" he pushed his hand to her." proof I have sent you....Now run! they are not far behind me!" and there he died. Alvar caught him as he fell forward and lowered him slowly to the ground taking the ring out of his hand. she could hear the approching guards, there was no time to take care of the body ... with honor. She had to leave now despite the fact, or somone would be taking care of her body also....

 

[sampson x]

((By barrox, do you mean barracks? Not meaning to be nit-picky, just a little confused.))

Not caring whether anyone was around or not, Lucifite moved towards the walls behind his throne. Heading straight for the broad side of a plain, flat wall, he continued, walking straight through. He entered a universe of darkness and nothingness, but he continued walking straight; nothing before him, nothing behind. Untill, suddenly, an identical flat, grey wall, just like the one he'd originally walked through, apeared. He strode through it, apearing on the other side, in dismal cold. The beating of drums echoed through the darkness he was now, again enveloped in. But this was... a different darkness. Not one of nothingness; this one was thick, and had a feeling of substance and nausousness one feels in pits and in bed sick... it was for Lucifite, and he loved it.
His light still shone, but it was not a glorious light anymore. It was like a light that drew moths to it. And many that came were like giant moths. But these were his hordes, his men. They were demons, spirits, imps, Nephillim, Gigontos, all around him, beating drums and strumming foul stringed instruments. But most of all were playing great black horns, that could almost go unseen in the surroundings.
And coming up to him were the Fallen. These pure blooded Angels were his Elite. They had slain many, souls, flesh, and spirits, in their career. They were his.
Lucifite smiled. They were ready.

Joshua kept his face straight as long as he could, saying, trying not to laugh, "Who are you to wait at an Oak on such an unclear day? And at an Oak that should not exist? Does this day, or the Oak, or my reasons, or us even exist?" He couldn't hold it longer, however. He jumped from his horse and ran to his brothren. "Philip, you fool! Who else could it be?" He lifted his friend and held him close. "It's been ages, old man! How have you been?" But he snapped out of it, coming back to the issues. "Do you know why I have called you, my friend?"

As the man's voice came to Phillip as crisp as the morning air, he lowered his staff and also began to smile. He laughed aloud at Joshua's jests.

"Why you called me? Do you not remember that it was I who called you, Joshua? Am I not the one who told you to meet me at the tree on this morning?" Phillip chuckled aloud before planting his staff into a notch in the tree's roots. It was now time to get down to business.

"On a more serious side, we have a long journey ahead of us. Dark magics and greedy men will use their every strength to stop us. We must not fail. You know the prophecy I speak of, no?"

 

[Maxster211]

"'But their strength will not be enough; my will will be thy shield, and I your avenger.' I know it. I do not deny it, but I was found and attacked by at least fifty men. We should find shelter here, but lets not light a fire; I don't want to be careless."

((Sorry for the shortness. Great post, Shadow. Let's have everyone get here and then we'll get to it.))

 

[sampson x]

Phillip nodded as he began to walk back to where he had planted his cane. Twisting the cane and then pulling it out, Phillip explained to Joshua, "Very good. Of course we shall not be careless. Come, this will serve as a shelter well enough until the others arrive." Behind Phillip, the Oak's root creaked and moaned as it slowly parted in to two. The opening was wide enough for a man and a half to fit through. The morning light was not high enough to shine into the expanse below, but Phillip knew that a small, hidden room lay underneath, "Do not worry, we will hear them when they come. The Creator is our Protection. He has promised today to protect us and deliver us from evil." With that said, Phillip muttered, "The Lord is our light and our salvation," under his breath. A light now shone on the end of his staff as he crawled down the hole. He held up the staff so Joshua could see his way down, "Step lightly. Down here is a very important scroll I want you to read as we wait."

 

[Shadowseldil]

(((What, wait... What did I do? Just for a refresher, here is my character: Hlogunr Ælome)))

Months earlier, in the deep halls of mountains far to the north of any inhabitted lands, an aged figure stood before another aged figure, perched high on his throne. They were speaking in low tones about dark events, this she knew, but the graveness of the matters were unknown until, after a few minutes of watching and listening through a crack in the door, her master came toward her. Quickly she scrambled away, trying to look like she had not been eavesdropping.
"Well, child," she heard from behind as she quickly spun around, "How much did you hear?"
"What, I--" she stammered, "did hear not, I, I did not hear anything."
Her master grinned quaintly, with a reminiscent look in his eyes as he stared at her. "We have been through how much? Enough that I should think of you as my own daughter. And yet you imagine that I do not know you habits yet?"
She turned away, hiding most of her face with a wing, but this would not deter the old Uluk. "My daughter, be not ashamed, but do not so in the future, as it is rude to those in higher places who plan words for specific people. I know you would not steal from our king, and yet will you feign to steal words he means for other's ears."
"I am reproved, master," she said quietly as she hung her head.
"Dear Hlogunr, think no more of it, but do learn from your mistake. Now, we must make haste and prepare."
"What is it, master?"
"We have been commanded to go into the outside world, for great dangers are amassing. we are to gather those nations with which have have had standing alliances and remind them of their duties."
"The outside world?" she asked pensively, "I have heard awful rumors about it. They say it is all coldness and brightness. They say that there is no division between the earth and heaven, but that all are one. They say that--"
"And I say that they are but rumors, my daughter. I have been there once long ago, when roles were reversed and I was the servant to the emmisary. None of the rumors are quite as true as you imagine. All the same, you will be quite impressed by the wonder of it all.
"But those are detail to discuss later, for now, we must begin our preparations."
It was hoofbeats that awoke Hlogunr from her sleep and blissful dream. It had been almost two months since she and her master had parted ways, and she had not yet successfully located any of the kingdom on her map. She was hopelessly lost and woefully longing for the times before she came to this world of oppresive sun, distressing rain, and, she shuddered at the thought, dirt floors.
The hoofbeats were getting louder as she stood. Gracefully, she stretched her arms to the sky as she tucked her wings around her; it was important that none but the kings knew of her race. She quickly wrapped her cloak around her and tied it tight. Her wings made her look rather well-figured for a human when so tucked, but apparently men found that attractive, as she often caught them stealing glances at her.
The hoofbeats were upon her as she began to repack her bedding. Strangely, it was not a man on horseback, as she had suspected, but rather a horse-man; she was grossly unaware of centaurs. She stared at him in wonder as he did the same; though, if this horse-man was like other men she had met, she could guess the reason.
"Excuse me, sir," she said politely and diplomatically, "My name is Hlogunr Ælome. I was hoping perhaps you could show me to the kingdom of Merinilia. I would be willing to pay you for your services."

(((Uh, you know... I don't know any kingdom names. I made one up, but it might have been overthrown by now.)))

 

[ignight]

Alvar had not slept for two days but she continued to stumble forward pushing the darkness despritly away. she was almost there, to the oke. It was the only one she knew, If whoever she was suppost to meet was not there... she had know where to go.
It was in her sight now, she would make it. It seemed an eternity before her hand brushed up against the tree. Alvar slide down and sat at the base of the tree letting the darkness overcome her. She had made it...

 

[Maxster211]

((The world is united, but there could be provinces. The Outer Realm may be just a darker place, but still conquered.))

 

[Star_Splitter87]

Torchwood took only five men for his personal team, these were his hand picked first team. Another twenty would follow half a day's ride behind them and be signaled when needed by messenger pegion.

Galloping with his men, he looked to the map as they went along and that night came upon the Oak. Instructing his men, two of them went to investigate.

~~~

Tear and Marl dismounted and moved slowly towards the Oak tree and looked around. Voices, the distant and indistinct sound of voices. Creeping in they listened.

((Shadow is your character seeing Torchwood???))

 

[Shadowseldil]

(((I was sure hoping so, Star... Or at least one of his men. And as to the use of kingdoms, it had been several hundred years since the Uruk have been to the outside world, so their knowledge of realms could be dated.)))

 

[Star_Splitter87]

Listening, he heard a noise to his left. Perhaps one of them was now coming around the corner? Slowly, he trotted towards the sound until he found a woman packing her things near a tree.

"Excuse me, sir," she said politely and diplomatically, "My name is Hlogunr Ælome. I was hoping perhaps you could show me to the kingdom of Merinilia. I would be willing to pay you for your services."

Torchwood smiled, leaning down, "Well my lady. Why is it you feel the need to go to the kingdom of Merinila? Lucifite is a glorious kingdom. Why would you leave?" Smiling his handsome grin, he worked his face to be seen as kind and gentle. Information was key to discovering who these traitors to the king were. Torchure was rarely productive and often misinformation would come forth more than truth. Victums seldomed lied when they trusted him.

 

[sampson x]

((Alvar should be sucked into the small hideout underneath the Oak before the centaurs arrive.))

In the dim candlelight underneath the Oak, Phillip smiled widely at Joshua, "I believe one of our friends has arrived."

Outside, the ground under Alvar suddenly opened and before she would be able to react she found herself floating in midair. She floated for only an instant, though, before falling down onto the hard, dirt floor of the small hideout. The hole in the ground shut itself up almost as quickly as it opened, small bits of dirt and grass falling with the last rays of sunlight.

Phillip leaned over the fallen Alvar and offered his hand to help her up, "Welcome, we've been expecting you. Please make yourself at home for now. We need to wait for just a little while longer."

Dirt began to fall from the roof in small bits as the sound of approaching footfalls increased, then died as the gallop came to a stop. Phillip held his finger up to his mouth to signal to be quiet to everyone.